3A STATE: Kickers dominate Decatur; make it to quarterfinals
Published 10:47 pm Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Connor Winship and Brad Olson each scored two goals as the Bainbridge boys’ soccer team crushed the Decatur Gators 7-0 in a opening round game of the 3A state tournament Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium at Bainbridge High School.
It is the first time a boys’ soccer team has advanced to the quarterfinal round since 1997 and its the first time since their quarterfinal match against Seattle Prep in 1997 that they have scored a goal.
Its also the first time in school history that they have won a state tournament game that they have hosted. The Spartans have been winless in five tries at home, with the last “home” game being at Silverdale Stadium in 2001.
The win also marks the first time they have shut out an opponent and shatters the record for most goals scored in a single game in the state tournament.
The Spartans put the pressure on the Gators from the get go as they used its speed to get past a Decatur back line that was playing high up the field.
Olson opened the scoring when Alex Raquer made a run down the right channel to feed the senior midfielder for a one timer that beat Decatur goalkeeper Zach Gippe.
Raquer scored a few minutes later when he was fed a great ball over the top and easily beat Gippe for the second goal.
The Spartans continued making their presence felt in Decatur’s defensive end as Winship scored on a easy tap-in when a cross from Michael Crowley went off the fingers of Gippe.
In the second half, Bainbridge continued its dominance as Sebastian Scales made a great run into the Gators’ penalty box and was brought down by a Decatur defender. Crowley put the penalty away for another score.
Winship made another score when he corralled another loose ball that came off of Gippe’s hands and put it in, while Olson put in another a few moments later. The Gators added to their own misery with an own goal moments after Olsen had scored.
Bainbridge hosts Mount Vernon at 7 p.m. Friday in a quarterfinal game. The winner heads to Harry Lang Stadium in Lakewood next weekend.
The boys’ lacrosse team will play that same day at 5 p.m. against Eastside Catholic, but Bainbridge athletic director Annette Duvall said the game may get moved to 4:30 p.m. so the players can attend prom later that night.
